A TRUE PATRIOT AND HERO

By Toto Mortillero

People who are serving in whatever field in pursuit of national glory is considered a patriot. An athlete who is representing his/her country is considered a patriot, much more if he/she fights on the battlefield for the freedom of his/her country.

Teofilo Yldefonso whose monicker was the "Ilocano Shark" represented the Philippine flag in the 200-meter breaststroke in swimming three times specifically in1928, 1932 and 1936 Olympics. He grabbed the bronze medal in the said event during the 1928 and 1932 Olympics and landed seventh in the 1936 Olympics. Such feat is already recorded in the annals of history of the Philippine Sports since we can only count our fingertips as regards to the Filipino athletes who made us proud during the Olympics.

Yldefonso got 144 medals in his 16-year stint as a swimmer and became a member of the SWIMMING HALL OF FAME IN 2009. His unorthodox style of swimming known otherwise as the "Yldefonso stroke" is being adapted by pint-sized swimmers, especially by the Japanese swimmers.

Such accomplishments of Teofilo Yldefonso were already considered patriotic for giving glory to our motherland, the Philippines by way of the Olympics, but his greater legacy was the fact that he joined the Philippine Scout during the Second World War to save the Philippines from the Japanese invaders.

Yldefonso became a lieutenant in the Philippine Scout during the course of the Second World War and was one of those captured and joined the Death March. He survived the said harrowing march of death but later on died in a concentration camp in Capas, Tarlac due to the injuries he got from the said long, tiring and trying march.

His life can be a good inspiration for us, the new generation of Filipinos to be a TRUE PATRIOT AND HERO especially in this very challenging part of our national journey. May his sterling accomplishments be a guiding light for us to be freedom loving people and become good citizens of our country, the Philippines. May his likes increase and may the sunshine of the Philippines never fade in every challenge it has to face. So be it.